Ford Expands Explorer ST Lineup With Sinister Package and a Driving Program

The automaker adds a factory-original appearance package to its performance SUV and reintroduces a nationwide driving school for buyers in the United States

• The optional Sinister package brings blacked-out badging, amber running lights, and 21-inch gloss-black wheels to the Explorer ST.
• Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 rated at 385 horsepower, paired with a sport-tuned suspension.
• Buyers of 2026 and 2027 Explorer ST models will receive an invitation to a one-day professional driving school launching fall 2026.

A New Appearance Package Aimed at Enthusiasts

Ford has unveiled the Explorer ST Sinister package, a factory-offered option that targets the SUV’s aftermarket-minded customer base. The package centers on a blacked-out visual theme: dark-accented ST badging, amber glowing running lights, and 21-inch gloss-black wheels. Ford describes the aesthetic as a direct acknowledgment of the customization culture that has grown around the ST nameplate since its introduction.

Unlike many automaker-branded appearance upgrades, the Sinister package is positioned as a production option rather than a dealer add-on, meaning fitment and warranty coverage fall under standard factory terms.

Performance Specs Remain Centered on the EcoBoost V6

Under the hood, the Explorer ST continues to use a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6, producing 385 horsepower. The powertrain is complemented by a sport-tuned suspension calibrated to sharpen handling while retaining the three-row layout that defines the model’s family-vehicle positioning. Ford markets the combination as delivering sports-car-like acceleration within a full-size SUV package—a claim the ST trim has carried since it entered the lineup.

Explorer ST Experience Returns as a National Tour

Alongside the Sinister package, Ford is reinstating the Explorer ST Experience, a one-day professional driving school bundled with the purchase of a 2026 or 2027 Explorer ST. The program, which had previously run in earlier model years, is set to resume in fall 2026 as a multi-city tour across the United States.

The curriculum is designed to familiarize buyers with the vehicle’s performance envelope under instructor supervision—an approach increasingly common among automakers seeking to differentiate high-performance variants beyond the spec sheet. Interested buyers can register at fordeventreg.com/ExplorerSTExperience.